Discovery Center to host Mad Scientist Ball fundraiser Saturday

The white lab coats stand ready for wannabe world conquerors at the fourth Mad Scientist Ball.

The event raises funds for the Don Harrington Discovery Center, and executive director Aaron Pan said it's a good fit for the science center.

"It's not the same, run-of-the-mill fundraiser," Pan said. "There's always fun, zany things going on here at the Discovery Center, and this will match all of that."

The event includes a blues bar and dinner club with music by Blues Boy Willie, an arcade game room, open bar and dancing to music by Austin band The Space Rockers, a quintet of spandex-clad faux superheroes.

"They come from space," said Liz Bentley, DHDC development and communications director.

"We're even building a spaceship."

The band has added even more covers from the 1980s to its show, founding member Cord Stone said, but its mission is the same: "The Space Rockers are superheroes from outer space that have come to bring the groove back to a planet that lost its groove."

Elsewhere, attendees - all of whom will be provided a lab coat at the door - will get to take Jell-O shots out of petri dishes.

"We always try to incorporate things that are science-related and do some spin on them, like the petri dishes," Bentley said.

Also included is a meal catered by Rory Schepisi of Vega's Boot Hill Saloon & Grill.

On the menu are a selection of small pizzas, filet en croute, coconut-infused shrimp, seafood linguine and an assortment of fair foods, including gourmet corn dogs and fried chicken and waffles.

The event begins at 7 p.m. at DHDC, 1200 Streit Drive.

All the fun has a serious purpose, Pan said.

"This really helps the Discovery Center fund our exhibits and the exciting programs we can give to families to learn about science," he said.

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